Watch Before You Buy

New and Popular Toys Caught on Tape

By Alison Marek
November 2008

You've heard about SpinMaster's Bakugan Battle Brawlers, but are they right for your store? Now you can see for yourself. TDmonthly's videos let you try out toys without meeting a rep or boarding a plane.

And did you know that you can link directly to the each video from your own selling site, so your customers can see the toys before they buy, too? We have more than 1,400 product videos that you can link to ... and since they're hosted on ToyDirectory, your site won't be affected... but with any luck, your sales will! Broadcast TDmonthly Toy Videos From Your Website! (See website terms of use here.)

Get my toy on TDmonthly's Toy Videos!

Bakugan Battle Brawlers - Starter Pack by SPIN MASTER TOYS

Bakugan is a strategic card game played with magnetic, spring-loaded marbles that transform into robots. The game spawned an animated series on Cartoon Network, Bakugan Battle Brawlers, which debuted on February 24, 2008, according to Wikipedia. Launch date: February 2008.
— Barbara Vininsky, owner of Blossom & Harry in Montreal, Canada, said in early 2008 that this is her hottest item by far: "It's out of control; I've never seen anything like it." Boys 6 to 9 are snatching it up as fast as she can order, even though her store specializes in clothing and she rarely has hot toys for boys.
— Two of 63 retailers named Bakugan when asked about their overall best-selling toy in September 2008. Tim Hayes, owner of Learning Express in Sudbury, Mass., told TDmonthly in November 2008 that his store sells 500 to 600 units of Bakugan monthly. “We’ve been very fortunate in having shipments,” he said.
— David Marks, owner of Learning Express of Westport in Westport, Conn., lauded Bakugan for its wide range of appeal. "I've been in this business for 13 years and I've never seen a product appeal to kids as young as 5 and as old as 13," he told TDmonthly. ( Watch Video) 4/3/2008 (MSRP: $14.95; Age: 6 and Up)

Xylophone Dots by COLORI USA/TATIRI

Great instrument with great sound for young and older kids! It comes in happy colors. ( Watch Video) 4/8/2008

My Own Monster Buster by NORTH AMERICAN BEAR

My Own Monster Buster by NORTH AMERICAN BEAR This funny fiend in soft velour has whimsical charm and embroidered accents. Designed by kids for kids, Buster is a keepsake gift with a delightful monster story on the hang tag and a charitable heart. A portion of sales is donated to Global Action for Children, a nonpartisan children's advocacy organization. The soft, security buddy addresses common childhood anxieties of fear and bullies, while helping to promote charitable deeds and raise awareness for less-fortunate children. Launch date: January 15, 2008. Display ideas: Offer a wide range of My Own Monster characters to create an eye-catching, colorful display. Promote sales with a free My Own Monster display sign available upon request with any My Own Monster order. ( Watch Video) 8/27/2008 (MSRP: $16.00; Age: 2 to 8)

Hand-y Tees - "Best Mom" T-Shirt by ACCESS COMPANIES

Quality heavyweight 100-percent cotton t-shirt with "Best Mom .... Hands Down!" printed on the shirt. T-Shirt also includes paints to add handprints on the t-shirt, directions and a gift card. ( Watch Video) 9/26/2008 (MSRP: $12.95)

Chicken Socks - Tree House Bugs by KLUTZ

This kit shows kids how to assemble the included colored pipe cleaners, bright wooden beads and glittery paper wings into five bug buddies. Kids can even stick on pre-printed sticker faces to give each bug its own personality. Additionally, the book opens up to become a charmingly detailed, three-room tree house, complete with a front yard, punch-out furniture, stickers and decorative accessories.
— “We do well with the Klutz books ... [especially] the Magnetic Magic and the bug book,” Mary Ellen Cerney, owner of Dear Friends and Children in Duncan, Okla., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— “Anything by Klutz,” Emily Bieritz, manager of My Favorite Toy Store in Downers Grove, Ill., said in April 2008, when asked to name the best-selling arts and crafts item in her store.
— In spring 2008, more than 3 percent of retailers who spoke with TDmonthly named Klutz activity books as best-selling kits. ( Watch Video) 5/8/2008 (MSRP: $14.95; Age: 4 and Up)

Horse Fairy Music Box by ENCHANTMINTS

Horse Fairy Music Box by ENCHANTMINTS This beautifully illustrated and designed music box features four drawers for storing treasures as well as a main compartment for jewelry, etc. "The unique design and illustration of our products make them ideal for the specialty market," said Liz Bjornstad, sales administrator for Enchantmints. This product won a Creative Child Magazine top toy award for 2008. Launch date: 2008. ( Watch Video) 8/21/2008 (MSRP: $29.00; Age: 5 to Adult)

The Slumber Party Box of Questions by THE BOX GIRLS

THIS PRODUCT IS NOW DISTRIBUTED BY MELISSA & DOUG
2 Fun 2 Sleep! The Slumber Party Box of Questions is guaranteed to make each guest the talk of the party. Get the 411 on all of your BFF's. Ages: 8+. Also available in Mini size for when you're on the go. 52 Round Question Cards in an Attractive 5" x 3.5" Satin Ribbon Wrapped Container.

A great gab game to get everyone talking and keeping your party from being a snore with questions such as:

What was your most embarrassing moment?
What is your friend on your left's coolest quality?
What song would be the perfect themes song of your life?

(

Watch Video) 6/10/2008 (Age: 8 and Up)

Lauren & Ladybug Costume by PADDYWHACK LANE LLC

Lauren & Ladybug Costume by PADDYWHACK LANE LLC This 14" doll features a soft body and vinyl head with curly brown hair. She has poseable arms and legs and hand-painted features. Her satin costume is topped with ladybug antennae. ( Watch Video) 6/19/2008 (MSRP: $69.99; Age: 3 and Up)